200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
An organization experiences a ransomware attack where files are encrypted and a ransom is demanded. Which element of the CIA triad is most directly impacted?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between Integrity and Availability by presenting a scenario where data is altered (encryption) but the primary consequence is loss of access, leading candidates to mistakenly choose Integrity because they focus on the modification rather than the resulting denial of service.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Availability
A ransomware attack encrypts files and demands payment, directly preventing users from accessing their data and systems. This loss of access is a direct impact on Availability, which ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed. The CIA triad's Availability element is most immediately compromised because the organization cannot retrieve or use its encrypted files.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Availability
Why this is correct
Ransomware encryption renders files unreadable, directly denying legitimate access to data and systems. Availability is the CIA element concerned with ensuring authorised users can access resources when required, so encryption that blocks access satisfies the stem's constraint of disrupted data access. Confidentiality and integrity remain intact; the data is neither exposed nor altered.
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Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Encryption does alter file contents, but the defining harm is loss of access, not undetected modification of data. Integrity applies when data is corrupted or tampered with while remaining available, for example an attacker altering transaction records without detection.
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Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation is not a CIA triad element at all; it belongs to authentication and accountability, proving a party performed an action. Ransomware encryption removes access to files, which is an availability loss, so non-repudiation cannot describe this scenario's impact.
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Confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypting files destroys their availability, not their secrecy; the data remains unreadable to attackers too. Confidentiality is the correct CIA element when unauthorised parties actually read or exfiltrate data, such as a database breach exposing customer records.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.